Religion News – Newsletter for January 15, 2011

Over five lakh pilgrims take holy dip at Gangasagar

SAGAR ISLAND – Over five lakh pilgrims from across India and even abroad took a holy dip in the river Ganga, braving the icy cold water and a chilly wind at the annual Gangasagar Fair here on Makar Sankranti Saturday.

About 150 km from Kolkata in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, this island is … Original article on : Over five lakh pilgrims take holy dip at Gangasagar.

Pope John Paul II Will Be Beatified

VATICAN CITY (GaeaTimes.com)- The citizens of Rome are all set to witness the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1, the Vatican City officials announced the news on Friday. The media outlets reported that Pope Benedict XVI signed an official document and gave permission to beatify Pope John Paul II. The media … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pope John Paul II Will Be Beatified.

Pongal Celebrations In Full Swing

CHENNAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The month of January in India sees traditional harvest festivals being celebrated in various parts of the country. While the western states celebrate Lohri, a number of states gear up for Makar Sankranti and for the South Indians the time is set for Pongal. The festival is being celebrated by Tamilians …. Read the original article  : here.

Assam celebrates Bihu festival with bonfires, feasting

GUWAHATI – Bonfires and community feasts were held across Assam as the state celebrated the harvest festival of Magh Bihu Saturday.

Magh Bihu also known as Bhogali Bihu is a two-day festival and dedicated to Lord Agni, the Hindu fire god.
People across Assam early Saturday made bonfires of ‘mejis’ and ‘bhelaghars’.
The ‘meji’ …. Read the original article  : here.

Sankranti Spirit Grips India

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Indians are still enjoying the festive flavor of Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival that has sent celebration mood countrywide. The fact that it comes at the same time with Pongal, a major South Indian festive event, has spread the joy and spirit among Indians even more. People are expecting a … Read more »»».

Land reclaimed after mosque demolition, DDA tells court

NEW DELHI – The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Friday told the Delhi High Court that it had complied with its orders for demolishing a mosque built illegally on public land in Jangpura in south Delhi and had reclaimed 350 sq metres of its land.

The DDA also pleaded with the court to drop its … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Land reclaimed after mosque demolition, DDA tells court.

‘Sikhs should expect screening of turbans at US airports’

WASHINGTON – A Sikh community advocacy group has warned the community to be prepared for the “reality that Sikhs should now always expect to be secondarily screened at American airports.”

The warning was issued by The Sikh Coalition in its revised guidance for “Airport Screening Procedures as Applied to Sikh Travellers and Your Rights as …. Source article  : ‘Sikhs should expect screening of turbans at US airports’.

Vatican to beatify Pope John Paul II May 1

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican said Friday Pope John Paul II is to be beatified – the penultimate step in the process to make the late pontiff a saint – at a ceremony in Rome May 1.

Pope Benedict XVI approved, through a decree, a miracle attributed to John Paul, the head of the Vatican’s …. Source article  : Vatican to beatify Pope John Paul II May 1.

We have reclaimed land from mosque, DDA tells court

NEW DELHI – The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Friday told the Delhi High Court that it had complied with its orders on demolition of a mosque built illegally on government land in Jangpura in south Delhi and had reclaimed 350 sq metre of its land.

Facing a contempt threat from the high court, the DDA, … Original source on Gaea Times at : We have reclaimed land from mosque, DDA tells court.

‘Dalai Lama will continue to work for Tibet cause’

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan prime minister-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche has said there is no need to worry about the Dalai Lama’s retirement plan as he would continue to work for the cause of Tibet, an official statement said here Friday.

“His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) has recently clarified his statement on retirement that except some changes in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Dalai Lama will continue to work for Tibet cause’.